Kitchen Transformation 2019

Our clients couldn't wait until their dark, cramped, dysfunctional kitchen was completely gutted.  The wall to the family room was removed to allow for a larger island with seating for 5.  The window was extended to 10 feet to let more light in with views of the beautiful backyard.

Here are the before photos:

Here's what our clients' kitchen looks like now.   I received an email the day after they had a party telling me how thrilled they are with the transformation.  This kitchen is perfect for entertaining!

Kitchen Storage

There is an incredible amount of planning that goes into a each of my clients' kitchen designs ... before colours and materials are even considered.  The one item that every new client asks for when we start to plan their new kitchen is:  more storage!

Every square inch of space is utilized which means incorporating innovative storage solutions.  Here are a few of my favourites:

 In this base cabinet drawer, pot lids and small pots are neatly organized.
The frying pans and lids are stored in the drawer under this one. 

Pull-outs containing spices, oils and vinegars are really handy.  

A very effective use of space, pull-outs come in 3" and 6" widths.

Lazy Susans have come a long way, baby!  Here is a base cabinet shelving unit 

that stores in the reachable corner.  

This is the tray insert in my own kitchen.  Makes it so easy to find the tray you're looking for.  I use these inserts to organize cutting boards as well.

Are there storage organizers that you can't live without?  Please leave a comment.  I'm always  looking for new ways to make a kitchen more efficient.  

I post on Instagram on a regular basis.  You can see the progress of my current client renovations and projects, and learn about new items and tips.  Please follow me on IG: @tobibrockwayinteriors

Kitchen Transformation

Hope everyone had a wonderful Mother's Day!  I thought it was the perfect occasion to focus on one of the most important rooms in the house where busy moms (and dads) cook delicious meals.

My clients purchased this 8-year-old house in Port Dalhousie with the intention of immediately renovating the kitchen.  There was nothing wrong with the existing kitchen except that it didn't have the style or functionality that my clients desired.  Luckily, they were able to sell the ENTIRE kitchen - cabinetry, countertops, microwave and plumbing fixtures on kijiji so there was nothing added to landfill in this project except the backsplash!

Before photos

My clients' wish list included:  additional storage with cabinetry to the ceiling, a larger island that would fit 3 stools, a more contemporary style and most importantly to these pasta lovers - a pot filler.

In order to accommodate a larger island and more storage, the partition wall that separated kitchen from the dining room was removed and the pantry extended 12".   The island could now be 7' long, allowing for 3 stools as well as deep drawers and a microwave. The island was rotated around so that anyone sitting there would face the window rather than the refrigerator wall.

After Photos

White and grey colour scheme is created with taupe-grey hardwood flooring, white cabinetry, grey island, polished marble-like quartz countertop and grey stools.  My clients love the light, airy feeling with glass cabinets, lantern pendant lights, open range hood and LED pot lights

 The enlarged island is able to contain the wine cooler, built-in microwave and pot drawers. 

In order to bring the "Wow" into this kitchen, we found a fantastic grey-white patterned backsplash tile.  

 Smart storage solutions ensure that function also has a role in this beautiful kitchen.  Easy access to spices and cooking oils makes it fun to cook!

All photography by Brian Yungblut Photography

My clients are thrilled with their new kitchen.  What do you think?  I'd love to hear what you have to say so please post your  comments below.  

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If you have a room that you'd like to transform and you require assistance, please don't hesitate to contact me for a design consultation.  You can email me or go to my website.

Office Sanctuary

When my client asked me to design her home office, she had very specific requirements:  it needed to remind her of Palm Springs with light flooring, incorporate her favourite complementary colours - blue and orange - and include white walls on which to display her photography.

Since the office is located in the basement, I recommended vinyl plank flooring that replicated bleached wood.  A floating desk - supported behind the drywall with heavy-duty supports - and floating shelves, painted the same colour as the walls, was installed.  As well, storage was placed under the desk. 

On the other side of the room, we created a sitting area with sofa, ottoman, custom cabinet and TV.  Here is where the blue and orange colour scheme really came to life!  The woven rug was designed to mimic the fabric in the toss cushion.  My client loves Lego so the shelving unit at the far end holds my client's finished Lego models.  The rotating group of photographs will eventually hang on the white walls.  In the meantime, the highlight is the artwork she found in Montreal showing a collage of melted Lego pieces.  It looks amazing!

My design philosophy is not to create cookie-cutter rooms but to design spaces that reflect my clients' personal tastes and preferences.  This home office is exactly what my client envisioned for herself.


Please subscribe to my blog and share this post with your friends and neighbours.  And if you'd like ideas on how to create your own home office, or any space in your home, please contact me for a design consultation. 

BEFORE AND AFTER - Powder Bathroom

Hope everyone is enjoying the respite from the frigid cold and snow that we've been experiencing in January.  Today, I'd like to show how to add "Wow!" to a powder bathroom.

When my Glenridge client moved into her home, the powder bathroom looked like this:

While it was tastefully decorated, it didn't reflect her style.  We were transforming her entire house from dark and traditional to contemporary with various hues of of grey.  She wanted to make sure that this room also reflected the new style.  As well, she had a mirror from her previous home that she wanted incorporated into the design. 

First, I selected a dramatic dark grey wallpaper that had flecks of silver in the pattern.  Chrome faucets, crystal knobs and crystal and chrome sconces added to the bling.  We were originally going to replace the ornate vanity but I suggested that money could be saved by finishing the vanity with a high-gloss charcoal paint.  Polished light grey quartz countertop and crystal knobs completed the vanity.  Here's the end result:

Can you believe it's the same room?  The same vanity?  In this case, all the elements combine to reflect glamour and glitz.  Sometimes, all I've had to recommend is a beautiful wallpaper to add "Wow!" to a powder bathroom. 

Please subscribe to my blog and share this post with your friends and neighbours.  And if you'd like ideas on how to transform your powder bathroom, or any space in your home, please contact me for a design consultation. 

Interior Design Show Highlights

IDS13 was one of the best yet in terms of creative ideas and innovative products.  As you walked into the Convention Centre, there were enormous balloon structures floating above the escalators.

I found out afterwards that this installation comprised of 1,600 twisted balloons was created by 25-year-old Willy Chyr, a Toronto born artist now based in Chicago.

For those coffee aficionados who are renovating their kitchens in the near future, here's something to consider.

 Miele has a cappuccino/espresso maker designed for built-in cabinetry, just like a wall oven or microwave.



I've selected Satin Finish Soho hardwood flooring for a few of my client projects.  At their booth, the flooring on the floor was especially interesting.

Imagine my  surprise when I found out that flooring was actually laminate.  That's right, laminate.  Something to consider when hardwood flooring isn't practical or doesn't fit in the budget.  From Satin Finish's High Performance Collection, it's colour Nordic Ice.

The Interior Design Show never fails in delivering fabulous backsplash tile.  This year the one that caught my eye was a combination of iridescent, pearly tiles.

Tones of grey, soft brown and cream - absolutely gorgeous.

The last item that caught my eye was a new line from Buhler Furniture.  Manufactured in Winnipeg, this company specializes in wood media cabinets,  many with fireplaces.  This is their first foray into contemporary design and I especially like the flexibility of design and colour.

Available in 6 different designs and 4 different wood finishes that can be mixed and matched, I'm so happy to have a Canadian-made contemporary cabinet to recommend to my clients.

Which ones are your favourites?  Please let me know what you think and as always, please forward this blog post to your friends and colleagues.

Please visit my website Tobi Brockway Interiors Inc. to see my portfolio and for more information on how we can help you with your own residential interior design project.

Fireplace facades and more

From time to time, I'll be highlighting a product or supplier that I've worked with on some of my clients' projects, that I think would be of interest to you.  Today, I'd like to tell you about ErthCOVERINGS, a North American leader in the distribution of high quality, natural stone veneers.

Stone veneers

I've specified ErthCOVERINGS stone veneer for fireplace facades.  Their lightweight stone covering product comes in a multitude of beautiful stone combinations and is easy to apply to smooth surfaces.  Here's a photo of my client's fireplace.

 Latest offerings

ErthCOVERINGS has recently introduced a combination of raised and inset forms to create 3-dimensional surfaces that install seamlessly and can be painted over in any colour.  A great alternative to stone, backsplash tile or wallpaper.  Absolutely stunning!! 

Let me know what you think.  Could you imagine these in your home?


Please visit my website Tobi Brockway Interiors Inc. to see my portfolio and for more information on how we can help you with your own residential interior design project.

Window treatments aren't just pretty to look at

We all know that adding window treatments to a room can completely change its look.  Window treatments can create a focal point but I typically select colours and patterns that create a beautiful backdrop to the other elements in your room. 

However, there are a variety of other reasons to add window treatments for your home:

The most obvious use for window treatments is privacy.  Whether it's a shade or drapery panels, most homes require window treatments for privacy at night and often, depending where the windows are facing, privacy during the day also.

Energy efficiency is of huge interest to today`s homeowner given the rising costs of electricity and gas.  Window treatments are a great way to keep your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter.  Depending on which treatment you choose, they can help block out the sun or insulate your home. 

Ever walked into a room and heard an echo when you talk?  Any soft fabric window treatment will help to dampen noise in your home. And of course, the fuller the treatment the more sound it will dampen.  Consider adding this type of window treatments in apartments, townhouses or large rooms to prevent sounds from traveling. 

Whether you install treatments in your bedroom, living room or TV room, you can opt for blackout options to control the level of lighting coming into the room.  For those people who need complete darkness to sleep, keep in mind that most black out blinds will still let light in on the sides.  Drapery panels with blackout lining are 100% effective in keeping out light.


Please visit my website Tobi Brockway Interiors Inc. to see my portfolio and for more information on how we can help you with your own residential interior design project.

Rugs as Art

Imagine my surprise when I recently opened a new catalogue from Modern Weave, one of my favourite suppliers of high-quality exquisite rugs for my clients.  These rugs take the art of rug-making to a whole new level.  Absolutely breathtaking in colour and design.  Check them out for yourself:

Eden 09

Eden 12

Grand Theatre

Mallow

Etsy and SwapSity

Two interesting websites have recently come to my attention.  The first one is www.etsy.com, a web-based search engine where you can browse by category (anything from art, home & living to jewellery, weddings and kids) and search by location or by recently added products.  If you are looking for something unique, handmade and vintage, this is the place to look.

SwapSity.ca is a website where users can provide information on items they wish to get rid of in exchange for something else.  When you browse this website you can search by category, location or keyword.  Once you have found an item you are interested in, and also have something they are interested in swapping for, you can contact the user and make arrangements to exchange. This is a modern-day barter system, created in efforts to reuse and recycle goods.  Interesting concept.

Please visit my website Tobi Brockway Interiors Inc. to see my portfolio and for more information on how we can help you with your own project.

Autumn Colours

Some of you may be wondering where I've been.  Well, I took a 6-month hiatus as the demands on my interior design business as well as a trip to France in June left absolutely no time to blog.  But I'm back and with the help of the rest of the Tobi Brockway Interiors team, I plan to provide you with design insights and practical tips on a regular basis.  And you'll also see the occasional photo and story that relates to architecture or design from one of my travel adventures.  

As I see all the fall colours around me, I'm inspired to look at the colour trends that are forecast for the coming year.  Earthy neutrals will remain a staple this year.  And grey continues to be dominant among these neutrals.  I've selected warm greys for 80% of my clients' living rooms in the past 6 months.  Benjamin Moore OC-49 titanium has been a favourite.

 

Bright colours reminiscent of fall foliage, such as citron yellow, tangerine orange and deep fuchsia will provide great accents in any room.  

Additionally, you can expect to see the introduction of brilliant jewel tones into many designs.  Emerald green, honey gold, deep teal, poppy red and varying shades of violet will be used in accent pieces throughout.  

More from New York Interior Design Show

The Diffa (Design Industry Foundation Fighting AIDS) exhibit was worth the price of admission alone. Last week, I showed a few creative dining rooms. Here are others that are all worth looking at.

I love the whimsy of the pink flamingos in this dining room setting. See how many you can find. (Hint: some are on the table.)


This next one has a touch of Gothic fantasy: check out the blackbirds flying around.


An upscale hunters' cabin in Northern Ontario, perhaps?


I hope you've enjoyed looking at these photos. Have they inspired you to add a few decorative touches to your own dining rooms?

Architectural Digest Interior Design Show Highlights

Last week I attended AD's Interior Design Show in New York City and the highlight for me was the DIFFA (Design Industry Foundation Fighting AIDS) fundraiser "Dining by Design". There had to be at least 20 dining room settings designed by members of the design industry that were absolutely spectacular. Imaginative, creative, original, some truly mind-boggling. Over the next week, I'll showcase the most interesting roomscapes for you to see for yourselves.

The first dining room used visual effects - a continuous video of underwater ocean scenes on the walls - that created a sensation of being in a dining room in the sunken city of Atlantis.

The underwater scene was completed by the "algae" chandelier and water-like table and chairs with blue table accents.

The most interesting component in the next dining room was the chandelier - made of wine bottles! It brought back memories of candles lit in Mateus wine bottles (you Boomers know what I'm talking about!) but with a modern edge.

Imagine a dinner held on an outdoor terrace with the New York skyline as a backdrop. Well, this room did have murals of the city skyline on each wall and, dropping from the umbrella lights, a cascade of giant glass bubbles filled with foliage. Fabulous!


Thinking about how to put the "Wow" in your dining room? The various elements of walls, light fixture and table top settings can be easily transformed as shown by these examples. More to come.